Mostly generic kids sci-fi. Great illustrations.
Story wise it was an entertaining read, but I'd not go back through.

Technology in Hong Kong has advanced greatly and genetically engineered pets are things that everyone wants. Only the wealthy people in Hong Kong can afford to purchase these pets. Nat Kanan’s family buys one of these new age pets. Niko the genetically advanced pet is not just a pet for the family but also a bodyguard. The problem starts when some bad guys want to use Niko for criminal activities. This graphic novel is awesome for the target audience of middle graders. The art is colorful, bright and makes the storyline come together. Super fun story and worth taking a look at. Thank you NetGalley and Magnetic Press for letting me look at this amazing graphic novel in advance.

'Genpet' by Damian Campanario with art by Alex Fuentes is a graphic novel for younger readers set in a near future when pets can be genetically built and linked to their owner's DNA.

Nat Kanan's dad owns the Knicks, and that's brought trouble to the family. In order to help his son out, he takes him to China to get him a new pet. Nat names the pet Niko and adds a few modifications. Upon arrival back in the States, the pet is forced into a fighting arena by the enemies of Nat's dad. Now Nat wants to rescue his pet, and he'll need help to do that.

It's a fun story, and I liked the characters. I think younger readers will like it. The art was ok, but not my favorite.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Magnetic Press, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

This is a case of execution not quite living up to the promise. I think in part because this world and it's social structure aren't fully realized. It wasn't clear to me if organized crime was a localized problem or if it was part of the fabric of society. And what about the genetic engineering? All we're told is that you can't get a fully custom pet in the US. But why not? I needed a little more explanation. And there's some weird levels of casual racism.

I have tried this one several times over the time I have had this book but I keep getting stuck quite early on. I had to re-read a couple of times (which didn't make my eyes happy as the text is quite tiny on my ADE with no way of getting it bigger) to get a feel of the story. Apparently our little boy gets a pet, but not just any pet a genpet which is a modified kind of pet. I guess having such a pet is bad? Given how the dad was reacting to the pet growing and how they get attacked quite soon. And from that point I just lost more and more interest. I guess it also doesn't help that there is a lot of text and I cannot get my ADE to adjust the font.
I did quite like the art, though the facial expressions were just weird at times.
Maybe if I ever find this one in the library (maybe if it gets translated to Dutch) I will give it another shot. For now, not my cup of tea. Just too much information, too little character development, and too much wtf?

GenPet takes place in 2036 where it is not possible to grow “pets” with a link from the human owner’s DNA. It is an interesting story but it was choppy and the amount of violence would have me move this to at least a YA book and not for middle grades.

I was provided with an electronic ARC through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I thank netgalley for the digital arc

This is obviously a middle grade novel, which I usually don't mind, every now and then I want t read a middle grade novel or a children's picture book as a palette cleanser, but I found the story lacking a bit. I love the whole concept of genetically personalized pets, but I would've loved if the story delved deeper into the characters. but still, I'd recommend it as a fun read for kids.

Tried multiple times to download this on everything. Comes back as error. I cant rate this because i cant read it so ill give it the average rating based on the summary posted on netgalley

Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from Diamond Book Distributors through NetGalley.
The artwork is stunning and draws readers in. The story is so action packed that the plot suffers and the transitions are choppy and hard to follow at times. I'm not fond of the prejudice against the Chinese characters by Luisa's grandfather. It's not needed for the overall plotline. This is certainly a dark story. I know this is billed as a middle grade graphic novel but I've marked it as young adult to process the violence - shootouts, equivalent of dog fights.
Yes, many readers will enjoy this escapism fiction but I'm not one of them.

The first two Genpet episodes in one volume, this book covers the concept of the things, the birth of a large one that's been stolen, and a best friendship for his owner. But there's a lot more than just series launch about this title, we get a proper adventure as well. Genpets are cuddly things that have been grown in a lab, generally from a child's own design, and created to bond with the kid's DNA. Our hero has one that has no intention to stop growing, however, which means that a criminal Mr Big decides to call in a long-owed debt from the lad's father. Can the fact he's falling into deep like with a punky spunky parkour-loving Italian girl solve the problem and get the pet back? It's an enjoyable adventure for pretty much all ages, although definitely geared at tweenagers, with brash colours and dodgy character design at times (faces have a tendency to go a bit Mr Potato Head now and again, especially in close-up). But despite reading young I liked it – the concept is a great one, the characters are strong enough (not so sure about his one-note parents, mind) and on this evidence more books in the series would not go amiss.

There are some interesting racial dynamics going on in this story. The Chinese are selling dangerous science unlawful in the U.S., the Italian-Americans are mafia or pizza makers, the Chinese-Americans are having big parades while they are also involved in dangerous gangs, and the Black guy owns a basketball team.

The story is interesting and original The stereotypes are going to keep me from championing the book.

An exciting sci-fi adventure featuring a boy named Nat and his genetically-engineered pet (GenPet) Niko, who end up tangled with the mob in a fight for their lives. While the characters, artwork, and core of the story are gripping, the tedious pace takes away from the story’s many strengths and left me wondering who the intended audience is.

Solid modernised a-boy-and-his-dog story in a cute art style.

It's the near future. Nat is a young boy with rich parents, who can afford him a so called GenPet - a Hong Kong based firm breeds a creature especially for him, based on his particular DNA. Normally GenPets are supposed to be just that - a pet, but Nat's father asks this GenPet to also function as a bodyguard for his son.

And so Niko is 'born' - a cute green thing, that starts growing exponentially. Nat and Niko basically fall in love. The family and Niko return to New York.

Turns out Nat's dad has had contacts with Mafia-types (it never becomes completely clear what has actually happened between them), that now want to steal Niko, to use him in fighting rings.

To finish the setup, there is also a young girl called Luisa, who helps Nat along the way.

The art style is eye-catching, reminds me of Cartoon Network and Steven Universe in particular. The cityscapes are quite detailed, like Blade Runner in daylight.

The story doesn't break any new ground, but what it does, it does quite well.

3.5 stars

GenPet is a fun and adventures story about a boy who gets his first pet. I think that the main plot lacks a little bit in character development and it just so much action that it is hard to find that you care for the characters. This is a middle grade graphic novel, which isn't for me necessary, but I have enjoyed middle grades previously. I think the illustrations is fine, but I'm intrigued to continue the story for the illustrations or the main plot. I'm sad that this just wasn't for me.

Tho, if you are just starting to read graphic novels and are in for a very action plot novel, try this one!